Scientific Literature: Searchable Database

Animals regularly feature as part of people’s leisure time, from relaxing at home with pets, to tourism where both captive and wild animals are encountered for human recreation. The current chapter focuses specifically on the example of wild dolphins as a part of nature, and the involvement of dolphins in human leisure activities, particularly ecotours (Curtin, 2005). This practice is supported by the human right to leisure (UNGA, 1948) as well as by economic gains (O’Connor, Campbell, Cortez & Knowles, 2009), educational and environmental benefits (Mayes, Dyer & Richins, 2004) and wellbeing advantages (Antonioli, 2005; Antonioli & Reveley, 2005; Webb & Drummond, 2001) for the human half of the interface. For this reason, timely discussion on the ethics and impacts on both sides of the human–dolphin relationship is warranted, and is the purpose of this chapter. The chapter commences with a discussion of human leisure and the role that nature and animals occupy in human leisure, incorporating the framework of the Biophilia Hypothesis. Secondly, research considering both the benefits and negative impacts of human–wildlife interactions is examined; the beneficial argument for the wildlife ecotourism industry maintains that wildlife tourism gives people an opportunity to relax and escape, and to connect with and understand nature and animals in the natural setting (e.g. Hill, Curtin & Gough, 2013). The other point of view maintains that wild animals are used as objects and commodities, and that the focus is on human satisfaction and hedonism (Burns, 2015). The chapter then investigates further these differing positions of the human–animal dynamic; Some authors have maintained that a human-focused utilitarian approach to animals in leisure activities is restrictive and not respectful of the animal’s inherent value in their own right (Wiener, 2015). Next, the chapter examines and argues for the proposition of a more ecocentric and intrinsic approach to the value of wild animals, which can provide a balanced view of interactions. Finally, how this can in turn help to guide a moral, ethical and responsible perspective and framework for leisure interactions with wild animals (e.g. Burns, 2015; Burns, MacBeth & Moore, 2011) is explored. The overall aim of this chapter is to examine the different perspectives in order to understand and evaluate the overall dynamics of the human–dolphin leisure interaction. It is argued that the non-human animalperspective needs to be considered as more than merely a commodity for the consumer (Burns, 2015). This involves not only evaluating the 1benefits for human wellbeing, but also exploring and understanding where dolphins fit into the interaction and ensuring their rights are considered and respected.